Feed Birds in Spring? Why?

Seasonal bird feeding is greatly loved by bird watchers. Many bird watchers think of spring as the most rejuvenating and awakening season for feeding backyard birds.

Bird watchers are particularly captivated come spring. Many are anticipating the breathtaking colors of male birds as well as the lovely melodies they sing as they win a mate, each with their own unique courtship displays. Some bird watchers anticipate the joy of witnessing a young bird's first flight while others long to see the nestlings get the first meal from a feeder without the help of their parents!

Many regions of the United States receive the exciting and rejuvenating variety of birds stopping by in their backyard as they head further to their breeding territory. Bird watchers are in awe at the site of splendid bright colors and many unique personalities of backyard birds spring migration brings. From Bluebirds to Grosbeaks, and from Hummingbirds to Tanagers, spring adds the delightful colors that winter washed away.

From this point it's clear that most who think of spring bird feeding, view it as mere human pleasure. But let's consider the benefits of spring feeding from our backyard bird's point of view.

Spring migration presents a challenge year by year. Let's look at the struggles they face to better appreciate how our help to provide for them keeps wild birds going through the seasons to come.

Spring may be a delight to humans, but the many wild birds that migrate north face quite a challenge each year. After a lengthy flight, our feathered friends are likely exhausted once arriving to your backyard. Their need for food is immediate. In order to sustain their metabolism, they must find enough food each day. This is a challenge because the backyard birds from the previous winter have eaten all natural food sources, such as seeds and berries. Insects, being many birds primaryfood sources, have many weeks to emerge.

And although many plants are beginning to show as buds from a tree or sprouts from the ground, our backyard birds will not have the advantage of these natural food sources for many weeks. In regions such as the Northeast and the Great Lakes, accumulated snow postpones the sprouting of plants.

Not only do they need food sources, they also must instinctively search for a home to call their own, attract a mate, and in time, prepare for nesting a new generation. We can see why immediate food sources are so vital to migrating birds who must claim a family in a couple months. Carrying out this God-given role takes a crucial amount of energy - again - presenting a great challenge.

Seeing this challenge, bird watchers should provide backyard birds essential foods in the spring months. Spring bird feeding gives man the rewarding inner joy of observing that many busy nesting adults have a reliable supply of food to lighten their load and to nourish themselves as well.

Even more important than food, water sources are crucial to a birds spring survival.
If you satisfy their hunger, but if not their thirst, our feathered friends could die of thirst.

If the birds have an abundant food and water supply, and feel safe from their many predators as well as having a reliable nesting area through spring, you are likely to see them through fall until they migrate south for the winter.

I hope you now see how spring bird feeding benefits our backyard birds, not so much from the bird watchers point of view, but from a bird's point of view. We see that we shouldn't feed merely for the pleasure it brings, but for the ways we help wild birds that feed in our backyards.

Seasonal bird feeding allows bird watchers to accommodate their feathered friends. Every bird watcher prefers to feed birds in a different season. What is the difference between winter bird feeding and spring bird feeding? Winter bird feeding accommodates common backyard birds. Spring bird feeding, on the other hand, is a highlight to many because of the annual migration north bringing you the greatest and most exciting variety of wild birds in your backyard. During this migration they stop by to replenish their energy and rest until they head further north to reach their breeding ground. Many bird watchers, change their focus from feeding common backyard birds to feeding migratory birds.

Let's give these migratory birds some thought and consider what foods they prefer. Last, we will give some thought to common backyard birds and the foods that attract them.

Sunflower seeds have the most incredible energy content a bird can eat, because of the great amount of fat and protein. It is also quite popular among migratory birds such as: Finches, Doves, Grosbeaks and Yellow Headed Blackbirds.

You can attract ground feeders such as Sparrows, Buntings, California Towhees, Blackbirds, Western Tanagers, Lesser Goldfinches, Blue Grosbeaks, Bobolinks, Mourning Doves, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Dickcissels and Red-winged Blackbirds with Millet.

Dried Fruit attracts Bohemian Waxwings.

Mixed Seed attracts some Towhees, Lesser Gold Finches and Meadowlarks.

Halved Oranges attract Northern Orioles, Scott's Orioles, Western Tanagers.

Cracked Corn attracts Blackbirds, Western Tanagers, Dickcissels and Meadowlarks.

If you are looking to attract Humming birds Yellow bellied sapsuckers, Scotts Orioles, Orchard Orioles, Blue-Winged Warblers, and Gold-Crowned Kinglets, offer Nectar.

Grape Jelly attracts Orioles, Grey Catbirds and American Robins.

Mealworms attract beloved Bluebirds, Scarlet and Hepatic Tanagers, American Robins, Warblers, Northern Flickers, Gold Crowned Kinglets, Wood Thrushes and Brown Thrashers.

Put out Corn on the Cob and attract the Red-Headed Woodpecker.

Northern Orioles, Summer Tanagers and Tennessee Warblers may enjoy Bananas.

While many bird watchers focus on providing for migratory birds, others provide food that attracts common backyard birds. For those bird watchers, we will consider them now.

Sunflower seed give birds the greatest fat and protein content of any seed. It is a favorite of Cardinals, Chickadees, Gold Finches and Mourning Doves. It also attracts Scrub Jays, Clark's Nutcrackers, Titmice, House Finches, Mountain Chickadees and Pinyon Jays. Although some experts observe Blue Jays eating Sunflower seeds, I've observed them ignoring them.

Safflower is a rather bland seed that various bird watchers say Cardinals love. I however have not observed this in my locale. Last year I have observed Chickadees and Titmice loving them, but not as of lately. This year I've seen Doves and Cardinals enjoying this seed, but it is not their preference in my locale. They will eat little amounts but leave behind the rest each day.

Niger Thistle attracts Finches like a magnet. Although House Finches and Purple Finches prefer Sunflower seeds, they will instinctively flock to Niger along with their finch family.

If you want a special treat for Mourning Doves, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Titmice and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, nuts are the key to attracting them. Be careful though, they are the Blue Jay's favorite. You can also attract the Steller's Jay and the Scrub Jay. Peanuts are a great energy source because of their fat and protein content.

Suet is a wonderful source of energy, keeping wild birds energized year round. This is a favorite of Wood peckers, Chickadees, Titmice, Bushtits, Nuthatches, Sparrows and Juncos enjoy it as well.

Millet is preferred by Juncos, Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Rosy Finches and Towhees.

By this point, you likely see that the annual spring migration brings the greatest variety of wild birds to your backyard. This separates spring bird feeding from winter bird feeding. Spring bird watchers find feeding backyard birds exciting and rejuvenating. I hope you enjoy the great and colorful variety that spring brings.

Feeding birds in spring is exciting for birders as many colorful, lively songbirds return home to their breeding ground. Not all birds though, bring us pleasure at our bird feeders. Migratory birds such as Blackbirds and Grackles horde bird feeders and discourage the birds we love to feed.

The problem: How to discourage Blackbirds and Grackles, so that we can enjoy feeding our favorite birds in spring

Many bird feeding references (online and printed) recommend avoiding ground feed and mixed bird seed. These mixes include millet, cracked corn, and fillers like wheat, which are the main food sources that attracts Blackbirds and Grackles to your bird feeders.

Feeding Backyard Birds gives you a quick reference to other foods that foil Blackbirds and Grackles as well as recommendations for what seeds are essential to feeding backyard birds in spring.

Along with the essential seeds, Feeding Backyard Birds tells you how to discourage Blackbirds and Grackles by recommending the appropriate bird feeders designed to discourage them.